Apparatus for forming a cementitious base for fence posts or utility poles



Jam W67 c s. CARLSEN 3, 95,817

APPARATUS FOR FORMING A CEMENTITIOUS BASE FOR FENCE POSTS OR UTILITY POLES Filed. June 50, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

c. s. CARLSEN 3,295,817 APPARATUS FOR FORMING A CEMENTITIOUS BASE FOR Jan. 3, H967 FENCE POSTS OR UTILITY POLES Filed Juhe so, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR. 6% /5774/1/ 5 CZQZ/V zm/zm flmm wEDW {7441M ill "may? United States Patent 3,295,817 APPARATUS FOR FORMING A CEMENTITIOUS BASE FOR FENCE POSTS 0R UTILITY POLES Christian S. Carlsen, Fox Island, Wash. 98333 Filed June 30, 1964, Ser. No. 379,305 3 Claims. (Cl. 249-83) This invention relates to the provision of a mold for forming a concrete base for a fence post or other types of utility poles.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a mold for forming concrete or other types of cementitious bases for fence posts or utility poles, the mold including reinforcing means for the case and means for connecting the pole or post to the base, all of said means being molded in the corpus of the base.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for forming a concrete or other types of cementitious base having metallic components as reinforcing and connecting elements formed integrally therewith to form a base having a substantially homogeneous structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide a resilient type strip mold for forming a concrete base for a fence post wherein certain component elements of the base are originally rigidly connected with the mold, but are detachable therefrom in such a manner as to permit the stripping of the mold from the base with the elements left embedded therewith.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method for molding a monolithic base for a fence post or the like, wherein means for connecting the post or pole to the base are cast as integral components thereof.

This invention contemplates, as still further object thereof, the provision of a mold for casting reinforced concrete bases for fence posts and the like, the mold being non-complex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, and which is durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a mold constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical, medial, longitudinal crosssectional view, FIGURE 2 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a detail, medial, vertical cross-sectional view, FIGURE 3 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, detail cross-sectional view of a molded fence post base just prior to removal thereof from the mold or form;

FIGURE 5 is a broken-away vertical cross-sectional view of a finished fence post or utility pole base or support formed through the teaching of this invention; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, detail side elevational view, partly broken away, illustrating a fence post or pole base in association with its respective post or pole in a completed assembly.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 16 designates, in general, a mold or form for constructing concrete or other cementitious bases for fence posts or poles. The mold 10 includes a normally horizontal, solid, substantially cylindrical base 12 having a centrally-located, integrally-formed upstanding core 14. The base 12 is engaged by the lower end of a verticallyextending, flexible, metallic and substantially hollow split cylindrical form 16 which tightly fits against the core 14. As is seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the free ends of the ice cylindrical form 16 are constructed and continue into radially and outwardly-extending integrally-formed flanges 18, 28 between which is interposed a leakproof seal or gasket 22 (see FIGURE 1). The flanges 18, 20, as well as the seal or gasket 22, are provided with verticallyspaced and aligned apertures, such as are illustrated at 24 in FIGURE 2, through which extend headed bolts 26 which receive nuts 28 thereon which, when tightened, draw the flanges 18, 20 into sealing engagement with the seal or gasket 22. It will be understood, of course, that as the nuts 28 are tightened on the bolts 26, the lower end of the form 16 will engage against the core 14 to form a substantially liquid-tight seal therebetween.

Disposed Within the form 16, at the upper end thereof, is a split substantially annular element 30 which is welded thereto -as at 32. The opposed ends 34, 36 of the annular element 30 are substantially parallel with respect to one another and are drawn substantially into engagement with one another as the nuts 28 are tightened on the bolts 26.

Disposed within the form 16 adjacent the upper end thereof are a plurality of circumferential]y-spaced, substantially rectangular connectors 38 which are provided with inner and outer flanged ends 40, 42, respectively. Each of the connectors 38 is provided with a verticallyextending, centrally-located passage 44 to serve a function to be described.

Reference numeral 46 designates one of a plurality of L-shaped elements, each of which is provided with an elongated leg 48 having an upper end portion 50 disposed in juxtaposition with respect to the outer face or side of the flange 42 of the connector 38 with which it is associated. As is seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, each leg 48 of the L-shaped elements 46 is bent inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the form 16, as at 52, and the lower end of each of the legs 48 terminate in a radially and inwardly-extending flange 54, the outer end of which terminates in a downwardly-turned lip 56. As is seen in the several FIGURES of the drawings, the inner side of the upper end 50 of each of the L-shaped elements 46 bears directly against the outer flange 42, and juxtaposed against the outer side or surface of the upper end 50 is a dovetailed washer 58.

Each of the connectors 38 is provided with a tapped opening 60 which extends through the outer flange 42 and opens into the passage 44, and the tapped opening 60 is aligned with a tapped opening 64 formed in the upper end 50 of each of the L-shaped elements 46, and this is, in turn, aligned with a tapped opening 62 formed in the washer 58, and the latter is disposed in confronting alignment with an opening 64 formed in the core 14 at circumferentially-spaced intervals. Extending through the openings 60, '64, 62, 66 is a headed bolt 68 of such length as to permit the inner end thereof to enter into the passage 44. A vertically-extending, substantially solid cylindrical rod 70 is provided for each of the connectors 38. As is seen in the several figures of the drawings, the rods 70 are inserted through one of the passages 44 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIGURE 3, and each rod 70 passes through a suitable opening formed in the flange 54, and extends downwardly through the form 16 to a point adjacent to, but spaced from the upper end of the core 14. It will be understood, of course, that the rods 70 are passed through the passages 44 in the manner shown at the right-hand side of FIGURE 3, while the bolts 68 are short of entering the passage 44. When the rods 70 have been properly positioned within the form 16, the bolts 68 are tightened to cause the inner ends thereof to engage against the rods 70 to hold the same securely against displacement.

After the bolts 68 have been tightened against their respective associated rods 70, concrete or other cementitious material is poured into the open upper end of the form 16 until the same is completely filled. The concrete 72 or similar material is now permitted to cure or become solidified, after which the bolts 68 are withdrawn, leaving the form 16 surrounding the molded concrete 72 in the manner shown in FIGURE 4. Thereafter, the bolts 26 are loosened from their respective nuts 28 to permit the flanges 18, 20 to separate due to the resiliency of the metal from which the form 16 is made, and in so separating, causing the form 16 to be Stripped from the exterior side of the molded material 72 and removed therefrom to provide the reinforced concrete base 74 as shown in FIGURE 5.

As is seen in FIGURE 5, the resulting base 74 has fixedly embedded therein the connectors 38, the L-shaped elements 48, and the washers 58, and the rods 70. Additionally, and as a consequence of employing the annular member 30, the base 74 is provided with a circumferential shoulder 76 at the upper end thereof, and an upwardly-projecting, integrally-formed neck 78 having a reduced diameter.

The utility of the base 74 is illustrated in FIGURE 6, wherein it is shown in conjunction with a pole or post 80 formed of wood and which it is adapted to support. As is illustrated in FIGURE 6, the neck 78 is surrounded by a hollow cylindrical sleeve 82, the lower end of the sleeve 82 being seated on the shoulder 76. Extending transversely across the sleeve 82 in vertically-spaced relation relative to the upper end of the neck 78 is a closure wall 84. The chamber formed between the upper end of the neck 78 and the closure wall 84 may be filled with white lead or a plastic material. The upper end of the sleeve 82 continues into -a cylindrical extension 88 which, when taken together with the wall 84, forms a substantially hollow, upwardly-opening compartment 90 to receive an insecticide in liquid form, as is indicated at 92. The compartment 90 may be repeatedly charged through a one-way nozzle and check valve indicated, in general, at 94, the same being of conventional construction. The upper end of the cylindrical extension 88 is beveled to a substantially sharp edge indicated at 96 to serve a function to be described.

Embedded within the lower end of the pole or post 80 are a plurality of pairs of legs 100 of substantially L- shaped insert 102. Each pair of inserts 102 is diametrically-opposed and is connected via bolts 104 and nuts 106 to the post 80. As is seen in FIGURE 6 of the drawings, the connecting bolts 104 are vertically-spaced from one another. Each of the L-shaped inserts 102 includes a leg portion 110 which is adapted to receive therethrough the threaded upper end 112 of an elongated bolt 114. Since the foot portions 110 are radially offset with respect to the lower end of the pole or post 80, each of the bolts 114 is bent inwardly, as at 116, toward the longitudinal axis of the pole 80, and the main body portion 118 of each of the bolts 114 is received within a groove 120 formed at the circumferentially-spaced intervals about the periphery of the pole 80 adjacent the lower end thereof. Each of the main body portions 118 is again bent, as at 122, to form a lower end portion 124 which terminates in an eye 126. As is seen in FIGURE 6, the lower end of the pole or post 80 is impaled upon the beveled or sharpened upper end 96 of the cylindrical extension 88 after which the eyes 126 are secured to the base 74 by means of bolts 128 which extend therethrough and which are threaded through the washer 58, the upper end 50 of the L-shaped element 48, and into the connector 38 via threaded passage 60. 'If desired, the bolts 114 may be braced by staples 130 which pass therearound and which are embedded in the lower end of the post or pole 80.

The base 74, once having been embedded in the earth, is substantially permanent in nature, and the detachable connections between the base and pole 80 facilitate repair and/or replacement thereof, due to the ravages of weather and time.

Having described and illustrated one embodiment of this invention in detail, it will be understood that the same is offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A strip mold for molding a concrete base for a utility post or pole, said mold comprising a normally hori- Zontal mold base having a substantially cylindrical neck projecting upwardly from a side thereof, a normally upright substantially hollow cylindrical form having a pair of opposed upper and lower open ends, said form being split on a line parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof to provide a pair of separable confronting edges, means releasably-securing together said confronting edges, said releasable-securing means comprising a flange radiating from each of said edges, respectively, said flanges being disposed in confronting relationship relative to one another and means clamping said flanges together, said form having the lower one of its ends telescoped over said neck and supported on said base, a split annular element fixedly-secured within said form adjacent the upper other end thereof, said annular element opening on the line of separation of said flanges, said upper other one of said ends of said form receiving concerete therethrough, a plurality of connector members detachably-secured within said form, said connector members each being substantially rectangular in configuration and being provided with a passage extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said form, said connector members being circumferentially spaced about said form adjacent said upper other end thereof, a plurality of elongated rods, each of said rods being slidably-received, respectively, in one of said passages and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said form, each of said connectors being provided with a tapped opening extending perpendicular to its respective associated passage and to the longitudinal axis of said form, a bolt extending through said passage to releasably-secure said connectors and said rod within said form, an upright L-shaped element for each of said connectors, said elements each including a vertically elongated leg having an opening formed therein adjacent the upper end thereof to receive one of said bolts therethrough, said leg being interposed between its associated connector and said form, and a flange projecting radially and inwardly from the lower end of each of said legs, said last-named flange having an opening extending transversely therethrough to slidably-receive one of said rods therein, said last-named openings being oifset with respect to the passage formed in the connector with which the element is immediately associated, said rods, connectors and L-shaped elements remaining embedded within said concrete base as said form is removed from its said mold base and said confronting edges of said mold are separated.

2. A strip mold as defined in claim 1, wherein a washer having a dovetail periphery is threadedly mounted on each, respectively, of said bolts between the immediately adjacent leg and said form.

3. A strip mold as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said flanges is provided with a downwardly-turned anchoring lip.

References Cited by the Examiner OTHER REFERENCES 881,183 3/1908 Guyer 249-91 892,592 7/ 1908 Helm et a1 249-51 925,009 6/ 1909 Milliam 249-144 938,662 11/1909 Graham 52699 1,120,108 12/1914 Warwick 52652 1,227,041 5/ 1917 Colt 249-91 2,602,469 7/1952 Whiting 2539 2,863,205 12/1958 Seaman et al. 25-30 3,024,512 3/1962 Dyer 249-51 I. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner. G. A. KAP, R. D. BALDWIN, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A STRIP MOLD FOR MOLDING A CONCRETE BASE FOR A UTILITY POST OR POLE, SAID MOLD COMPRISING A NORMALLY HORIZONTAL MOLD BASE HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL NECK PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM A SIDE THEREOF, A NORMALLY UPRIGHT SUBSTANTIALLY HOLLOW CYLIDRICAL FORM HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSED UPPER AND LOWER OPEN ENDS, SAID FORM BEING SPLIT ON A LINE PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS THEREOF TO PROVIDE A PAIR OF SEPARABLE CONFRONTING EDGES, MEANS RELEASABLY-SECURING TOGETHER SAID CONFRONTING EDGES, SAID RELEASABLE-SECURING MEANS COMPRISING A FLANGE RADIATING FROM EACH OF SAID EDGES, RESPECTIVELY, SAID FLANGES BEING DISPOSED IN CONFRONTING RELATIONSHIP RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER AND MEANS CLAMPING SAID FLANGES TOGETHER, SAID FORM HAVING THE LOWER ONE OF ITS ENDS TELESCOPED OVER SAID NECK AND SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE, A SPLIT ANNULAR ELEMENT FIXEDLY-SECURED WITHIN SAID FORM ADJACENT THE UPPER OTHER END THEREOF, SAID ANNULAR ELEMENT OPENING ON THE LINE OF SEPARATION OF SAID FLANGES, SAID UPPER OTHER ONE OF SAID ENDS OF SAID FORM RECEIVING CONCERETE THERETHROUGH, A PLURALITY OF CONNECTOR MEMBERS DETACHABLY-SECURED WITHIN SAID FORM, SAID CONNECTOR MEMBERS EACH BEING SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR IN CONFIGURATION AND BEING PROVIDED WITH A PASSAGE EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID FORM, SAID CONNECTOR MEMBERS BEING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ABOUT SAID FORM ADJACENT SAID UPPER OTHER END THEREOF, A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED RODS, EACH OF SAID RODS BEING SLIDABLY-RECEIVED, RESPECTIVELY, IN ONE OF SAID PASSAGES AND EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID FORM, EACH OF SAID CONNECTORS BEING PROVIDED WITH A TAPPED OPENING EXTENDING PERPENDICULAR TO ITS RESPECTIVE ASSOCIATED PASSAGE AND TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID FORM, A BOLT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID PASSAGE TO RELEASABLY-SECURE SAID CONNECTORS AND SAID ROD WITHIN SAID FORM, AN UPRIGHT L-SHAPED ELEMENT FOR EACH OF SAID CONNECTORS, SAID ELEMENTS EACH INCLUDING A VERTICALLY ELONGATED LEG HAVING AN OPENING FORMED THEREIN ADJACENT THE UPPER END THEREOF TO RECEIVE ONE OF SAID BOLTS THERETHROUGH, SAID LEG BEING INTERPOSED BETWEEN ITS ASSOCIATED CONNECTOR AND SAID FORM, AND A FLANGE PROJECTING RADIALLY AND INWARDLY FROM THE LOWER END OF EACH OF SAID LEGS, SAID LAST-NAMED FLANGE HAVING AN OPENING EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THERETHROUGH TO SLIDABLY-RECEIVE ONE OF SAID RODS THEREIN, SAID LAST-NAMED OPENINGS BEING OFFSET WITH RESPECT TO THE PASSAGE FORMED IN THE CONNECTOR WITH WHICH THE ELEMENT IS IMMEDIATELY ASSOCIATED, SAID RODS, CONNECTOR AND L-SHAPED ELEMENTS REMAINING EMBEDDED WITHIN SAID CONCRETE BASE AS SAID FORM IS REMOVED FROM ITS SAID MOLD BASE AND SAID CONFRONTING EDGES OF SAID MOLD ARE SEPARATED. 